Sound-reproducing apparatus



Jan. 17, 1928. 1,656,712

r A. A. THOMAS soum) REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. .25, 1925 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jan. 17, 1928.

A. A. THOMAS SOUND REPRODUCING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28. 1925 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Ian; 17, 1928. I 1,656,712

A. A. THOMAS I SOUND REPRODUGING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1925 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Jig/0 INVENTOR the telephone receiver of the radio set.

Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

ADOLPH A. THOMAS,

on NEW YORK, 1v. Y.

SOUND REPRODUCING APPARATUS.

Application filed August 28, 1925. Serial No. 53,021.

My invention is for a new souml-reproducing device constructed as acombined phonographic and telephonic reproducer, which is adapted to beattached as a un1t to a phonograph tone arm. This novel unitarymechanism is capable of perform ng a double function: it operatesmechanically as a phonograph sound box in playlng records through aneedle, and it also oper- 1o ates electromagnetically as a telephonereceiver. Only one diaphragm need be used,

and this diaphragm is preferably disconnected from the electromagneticmechanlsm when the device is operated as a phonographic reproducer.

The reproducing instrument of my mvention is particularly useful incombined radio-phonograph cabinets, where the phonograph horn isutilized as an amplifier fpr n prior cabinets of that type, has beennecessary, in the absence of special PIOVlSlOIlS, to remove the soundbox from the tone arm and insert a loudspeaking telephone receiver.

- That, of course, is objectionable, for it re quires the alternateremoval and replacement of the sound box and the 1'C6lVeI, an annoyingprocedure that nobody likes. To overcome this objection it has beenproposed to connect a separate sound tube with the neck of the horn andattach the tele phone receiver to the tube. The connection between thehorn and the receiver tube requires a controlling valve operated fromoutside the cabinet. The installation of theseadditional partsnecessitates changes in standardized phonograph designs and alsoincreases the cost of the machine. Another expedient heretofore employedas a means to obviate the removal of the sound box when it is desired toconnect the radio receiver with the horn, consists of a specialconstruction of tone arm in which a branch tube is provided forattaching the receiver. This requires the discarding of types of tonearms that phonograph manufacturers have been using for years as theirown standard'designs. Also, two separate and distinct devices mounted ondifferent parts of the same tone arm destroy the original neatness andsimplicity of the machine, especially in well-known makes.

The foregoing and other objections and disadvantages in priorradio-phonograph cabinets are overcome by the double-acting reproducerof my inventiomwhich can be substituted on the tone arm for the ordinarysound boxes heretofore used. The tone arm will, therefore, have a 1single reproducer unit, as before, but this new unit performs thetwofold function of playing records and amplifying the radio receptionthrough the tone arm and the horn.

The basic principle of my invention may be mechanically embodied invarious ways, and I have shown several illustrative constructions in theaccompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 represents, in axialcross-section, a radio-phonograph reproducer embodying my mvention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the relativearrangement of the magnetic pole pieces and the armature;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line 44 of Fig. 1, showing the means forholding the armature against turning during axial adjustment thereof;

Fig. 5 illustrates, in axial cross-section, a modified form ofco.nstruction,.the armature being connected to the diaphragm;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing the automaticswitch connections for the telephone coil in the reproducer;

Fig. 7 shows a tone arm provided with the radio-phonograph reproducer ofFig. 5, the reproducer being shown in record-playing position;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of Fig.- 7, certain parts being in section forclearness;

Fig. 9 is cross-section on line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 5 (with certain parts broken away),but showing the connection between armature and diaphragm broken;

Fig. 11 illustrates a fragmentary detail ofthe cooperating means on thereproducer and the tone arm for automatically controlling theconnections between the armature and the diaphragm as the reproducer ismoved into and out of its rest position on thetone arm, this viewshowing the cooperating parts in separated position; r

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, except that the cooperating'partsjust referred to are shown in engaging position to connect the armaturewith the diaphragm;

F ig. 13 is a plan view of the spring memher carried by the tone arm andshown in Figs. 11 and 12; and

Fig. 14 shows in cross-section another modification, in which the leverthat actuates the diaphragm has a slot for controlling the connectionwith the armature.

Before describing the drawings in detail, I want to make it plain that Ihave purposely shown the figures on an exaggerated scale, so as to makethe drawings as clear as possible. The parts are shown heavier and morespread out than is necessary in an actual device, which can be made ofabout the size of an ordinary phonographic reproducer, except for asomewhat wider casing to accommodate the electromagnetic mechanism, aswill be better understood later on.

I shall first describe the construction of Figs. 14. The operative partsof the radiophonograph reproducer are enclosed in a suitablenon-magnetic. casing C, which in this instance comprises a cylindricalcover 1 and a pair of end plates 2 and 3. These parts are separablysecured together, as by screws 4: or otherwise. The inner end plate 3 isprovided with a hub 5 adapted to fit over a tubular extension 6, whichis part of a tone arm, as will subsequently be more fully explained. Incasing C is mounted a vibratory diaphragm 7 held in position by anypractical means. In Fig. 1 the cover 1 is provided with an annularflange or shoulder 8 for seating the diaphragm, and an adjustablescrew-threaded ring 9 clamps the diaphragm tightly around the edge. The

shoulder 8 may be cast integral with the cover, or it may be secured inplace as a separate piece. As is usual in the mounting of phonographdiaphragms, one or more gaskets 10 of felt, rubber and the like, may beused for acoustically insulating the diaphragm from the metal of thecasing.

The casing C is rovided with a suitable bracket 11, shown in the form ofa pair of spaced arms between which is ivoted at 12 a lever 13 oroperating the iaphragm 7. The outer end of lever 13 terminates in, or isrigidly connected to, a needle holder 14 adapted to receive phonographneedles for playing records. The inner end of lever 13 is fixed to thecenter of diaphragm 7, as shown at 15. The lever 13 extends through aslot 16 in the cover 1 of the casing.

The phonograph mechanism thus far described may be of any practicaldesign, and may follow any one or more of the reproducers adopted byphonograph manufacturers as their standard type.

I shall now describe the electromagnetic mechanism in Figs. 1 and 2 foroperating the diaphragm 7 In the cylindrical cover 1 is fixed apermanent steel magnet M ofcircular body form and terminating in a pairof polar limbs or extensions 17, one of which is a north pole and theother asouth pole, The

magnet may be made of a solid bar of steel or it may be laminated. Thebody of magnet M is fixed to the cover by screws 18 or in any otherpractical way. Attention is called to the compact form and arrangementof the magnet for securing great length of metal in a comparativelysmall space. In pernia nent magnets it is advantageous to have as greata length as possible in order to maintain the magnetism constant for along time. To the polar limbs 17 are secured pole pieces 19 by screws 20or otherwise. The ole pieces are preferably of soft iron, sell orlaminated, and terminate in polar faces 21 which form a circular airgap22, as shown in Fig. 3. Between the polar limbs 17, which aresubstantially parallel, is arranged a coil K having a hollow center 23in line with the circular airgap 22. The coil K not only fits snuglybetween the inner sides of the polar limbs 17, but rests on the polepieces 19, and is thus firmly supported on and by the magnet itself,wlthout the need of separate supporting means. If desired, a pair ofretaining clips 24: may be fastened to the pole pieces 19 to engage theadjacent end of the coil and positively hold it against accidentaldisplacement. The clips 21 have curred spring extensions 25, which areplaced under tension when the coil is inserted, and these extensionsgrip the coil like a pair of spring jaws. Since the coil is held inplace entirely by friction, it is easily inserted and removed.

A hollow boss 26 of non-magnetic material is suitably fixed to the cover1, as by screws 27, so as to be in alignment with coil K. The boss 26 isscrew-threaded inside, as shown at 28 in Fig. 1, and carries a nut 29provided with a stem 30. This stem projects throu h a hole in the casingand terminates in a nger piece 81. The nut- 29 has two or more radialholes in which are fixed retaining pins 32. Into the recess of nut 29extends a swivel plug 33, which has an annular groove 34 arranged toreceive the pins 32. In this way, the plug 33 is locked to the nut 26 soas to move axially therewith in either direction, yet the nut 26 is freeto turn Without rotating the plug. The nut 29 and plug 33 should be ofnonmagnetic material to prevent diverting magnetic lines of force fromthe pole pieces. In order to lock the plug 33 positively against anytendency to turn during rotary adjustment of nut 26, I provide the plugwith a slotted arm 35 adapted to engage a pin 36 projecting from thefixed boss 26. The arm 35 rides up and down the pin 36 during axialmovement of plug 33. Any other suitable means may be used to hold theswivel plug 33 against rotary movement without interfering with itsaxial adjustments by the nut 29.

An armature 37, shown as a round bar of iron, is attached to the innerend of plug 33 by means of a short leaf spring 38, which is rigidlysecured at its ends in slots provided for that purpose in the adjacentends of the plug and the armature. The spring 38 is arranged in a planesubstantially parallel with that of diaphragm 7, so as to allowvibrationof the armature toward and from the diaphragm. The material anddimensions of spring 38 are so chosen as to give it the required degreeof resiliency. This is readily determined by the mechanic. The spring 38normally holds the armature centrally of the circular airga 22, or asnearly so as mechanical conditions permit. The polar faces 21 of themagnetic pole pieces 19 are preferably curved concentrally with thearmature 37, in order to reduce the airgap between the polar faces andthe armature to a minimum and yet leave sufiicient space for thearmature to vibrate at maximum amplitude without striking the polepieces. The free or vibrating end of the armature has a fiat extension39, which may be formed integral with the armature or may be a separatepiece attached thereto. The extension 39 is provided with a longitudinalslot 40 and a transverse slot 41, the two slots being open to each otheras shown in Fig. 1. In the T-shaped slot 4041 engages a pin or lug 42 onan arm 43 projecting from the lever 13. The arm 43 may be formedintegral with :lever 13, or it may consist of a separate piece rigidlyattached to the lever at a point between the pivot 12 and the end 15.The pin 42 fits snugly in slot 40 so that there is no lost motion in theconnection between the vibrating armature 37 and the diaphragm 7. At thesame time, the pin 42 permits axial adjustment of the armature for apurpose that will presently be explained.

The coil K is supposed to be connected in a suitable circuit traversedby variable currents of audio frequency. For example, the coil may beconnected with a radio set mounted in a radio-phonograph cabinet whichis equipped with the reproducer of my invention, so that this deviceconstitutes the loudspeaker of the radio set. The leads of coil K may becarried through the tone arm A and enclosed in casing C, so as to bewholly invisible. In Fig. 2, theends 44 of the coil are connectedtoinsulated binding posts 45 on the boss 26. Conductors 46 lead frombinding posts 45 through the tone arm, and fromt-here they run to asuitable place in the cabinet for connection with the radio set. Thecasing C maybe provided with a recess 47 in cover 1 and end plate 3 toaccommodate the conductors 46 and keep them out of the way of all movingparts.

The operation ofthe mechanism above described will now be clearlyunderstood. With the parts as shown in Fig. 1, when variable currentspass thr ugh coil K, the

armature 37 vibrates in the airgap between the pole pieces 19, and thesevibrations are always in a plane at. right angles to the plane ofdiaphragm 7. Consequently, the diaphragm vibrates in unison with thearmature through the connection represented in this instance by thelever 13, arm 43, pin 42, and extension 39. Attention is directed to thefact that the movements of the armature are transmitted to the diaphragmin amplified ratio, as follows: First, the pin 42 vibrates through agreater are than that part of the armature which operates between thepole pieces 19. Second, the point 15 where the lever 13 is connected tothe center of the diaphragm, has a greater amplitude of vibration thanthe pin 42, which is really a point on the lever 13 about midway of thepivot 12 and the vibrating end 15. Hence, the vibrations of armature 37in the airgap 22 are doubly amplified before reaching the center of thediaphragm, which therefore produces tones of loudspeaker volume whenamplified through the phonograph horn.

The transmission ratio between armature 37 and diaphragm 7 may be variedby adjusting the nut 29. By simply turning the thumb piece 31, the nut29 is moved toward or away from the coil K, carrying with it the swivelplug33 and armature 37. The connection 3536 prevents turning of plug 33,so that rotary adjustment ofnut 29 is accompanied by an axial adjustmentof the armature. This means that the distance between the suspensionpoint of the armature and the pole pieces 19 is varied, with consequentvariation in the amplitude of vibration of the armature at its point ofconnection with lever 13. It will be clear from Fig. 1 that, if thearmature is adjusted in a downward direction, the leverage between thepoint of suspension (which is somewhere along the tree portion of spring38) and the connecting pin 42 is decreased. The result is that thearmature vibrations are increased in amplitude at the point 42 in agreater ratio than when the leverage is lengthened by moving thearmature upwardly (as viewed in Fig. 1). The operator can thus easilycontrol the loudness of the diaphragm vibrations by simply turning thebutton 31. The cover 1 may be marked with appropriate signs to indicatethe loud and soft positions of button 31. If desired, the stem 30 maycarry a small pointer moving over a suitable scale on the cover 1 or ona disk surrounding the stem.

In the particular construction of Fig. 1, the axial adjustment ofarmature 37 not only permits control of the transmission ratio betweenarmature and diaphragm, but it also allows the armature to beoperatively disconnected from the diaphragm. If the armature 37 is movedupwardly (as viewed in Fig. 1) until. the pin 42 engages in the crossbepushed inor pulled out.

slot 41, the lever 13 is disconnected from the armature. The purpose ofdisconnecting the armature from the diaphragm is to allow the freeoperation of the diaphragm by means of phonographic needles in the sameway as if the electromagnetic mechanism were not present. It thearmature were to remain connected with the lever 13 during the playingof a phonograph record, the armature would impose an extra load upon thedia phragm and this load might be sufiicient to so hamper thephonographic operation of the diaphragm as to interfere with the correctreproduction of the record. This objection is entirely obyiated byproviding an easily separable connection between the armature and thediaphragm. If the reproducer is to be used as a telephone loudspeakerafter a record has been played, the button 31 is turned until the pin 42engages the axial slot 10, whereupon the armature 37 is againoperatively connected with the diaphragm 7.

In Figs. 5-13 is shown a modified form of radio-phonographic producer inwhich the connection between the armature and the diaphragm isautomatically controlled when the reproducer has swung into and out ofrecord-playing position. Such parts as are common to Figs 1 and 5 I neednot describe again in detail. The casing of Figs. 5 and 10 is providedwith a fixed boss 48 arranged in line with coil K, the same as boss 26of Figs. 1 and 2. In the lower end of boss 18 is fixed a plug 19, towhich is attached one end of the armature-supporting spring 38. Thelower end of armature 37 is provided with a fiat extension 50 carryingapin 51 on which is pivoted a link 52. The free end of link 52 is in theform of a hook-shaped head 53 provided with a slot 54. The lever 13,which operates the diaphragm 7, has a lateral pin 55 arranged to engagein the slot 54: of link 52. The slot 54 is preferably widened at thebottom and slightly converges toward the inner end, so that the pin iseasily guided into the slot and makes a tight fit' therein. The cover 1has a hole in which is fitted a frictional bushing 56 held rigidly inplace. Through this bushing extends a slidable plug 57 provided with apair of fixed collars 58 and 59. The collar 58 may simply be a nutscrewed on the plug 57, but the collar 59 is a metal ring of goodconducting material insulated from the plug 59 by an insulating sleeve60 (see Fig. 6). On the boss 48 are fixed two insulated spring arms 61to which the end wires 62 of coil K are connected. The free ends ofspring arms 61 are arranged to be engaged by the insulated collar 59when the plug 57 is pushed in, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The outer endof plug 57 has a small knob 63 by means of which the plug 57 may Thisoperation may be performed manually, but it is preferably accomplishedin an automatic way, as I am about to describe. A thin rod or stillwire64 connects the inner end of plug 57 with the slotted head 53 of thepivoted link When the plug 57 is pushed in, as shown in Fig. 5, the link52 hooks over the pin and the armature 37 is operativcly connected withthe diaphragm 7. lVhen the plug 57 is pulled out as shown in Fig. 10,the link 52 is disconnected from lever 13, so that the diaphragm may beused for playing records in the usual way without being hampered by thearmature 37. The collars 58 and 59 constitute stops for the inner andouter movements of the plug 57. This plug fits so sungly in the fixedfrictional bearing 56 that it is safely held in either of its operatedpositions. By referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that, when the plug57 is pushed in, the conducting ring 59 connects the switch arms 61 andthereby closes the circuit through the coil K. It is to be supposed, ofcourse, that proper circuit connections lead to the switch arms 61 fromthe radio set in the cabinet or from whatever electric system is used.\Vhen the plug 57 is pulled out to disconnect the diaphragm from thearmature, as shown in Fig. 10, the electric connection between thespring terminals 61 is broken. In other words, when the armature isconnected to the diaphragm, the circuit of the coil is closed and theinstrument is in condition to operate as a telephone loudspeaker.However, when the diaphragm is disconnected from the armature, as whenthe reproducer is used for playing phono graph records, the circuitthroughthe coil is interrupted and it is impossible to cause vibrationof the armature 87 unless the same is connected with the diaphragm 7.This automatic circuit-controlling feature is not necessary in thebroader aspect of my invention and may be omitted without sacrificingany of the practical advantages of the double reproducer. In that event,the collar 59 could simply be a nut, like the collar If the plug 57 isto be operated by hand, the knob 63 may be in the form of a button thatis easily grasped by the fingers. However, if the operation of plug 57is automatically controlled by the movements of the reproducer into andout of playing position, the knob 63 is so shaped as to cooperateproperly with the spring piece 65 shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13. Thespring piece 65 consists of a flat spring having bifurcated ends 66which overlap to form an opening 67, as shown in Figs. 8 and 13. Thespring piece 65 is secured to an extension 68 properly arranged on thetone arm A (see Figs. 7 and 8). The reprodueer is mounted on the freeend of the curved extension 6, usually called a goose-neck, which ispivoted in the transverse bushing 69 fixed on the outer end of the tonearm proper, as shown in Fig. 8. The dotted line 6 in this figureindicates the inner end of goose-neck 6.

Fig. 7 shows the reproducer in phonograph-playing position, with theplug 57 pulled out so as to disconnect the diaphragm from the armatureas illustrated in Fig. 10. Then the reproducer is swung back on the tonearm into the position indicated by the dotted outline R in Figs. 7 and8, the oval knob 63 strikes the spring fingers 66 of member 65, and thefirst result is that the plug 57 is pushed in until the collar 58strikes the casing. However, as the weight of the descending reproducercontinues to bear down on the yieldable spring device 65, the knob 63pushes the spring fingers 6 and 7 apart, longitudinally and laterallyunder certain conditions, and snaps through the enlarged opening thusformed, whereupon the entire reproducer is supported on the stopextension 68, as may be seen from Figs. 7 and 12. With the plug 57pushed in when the reproducer rests on the tone arm in swung-backposition, the armature 37 is operatively connected with the diaphragmthrough the link 52 (see F ig.'-5). The reproducer is now in conditionto operate as a telephone loudspeaker in whatever connections it may beused. Let us now suppose that it is desired to swing the reproducer fromits rest position into record-playing position. When the reproducer isfirst lifted from the position R in Figs. 7 and 8, the resilient fingers66 hold the knob 63 within the spring 65 until the collar 59 strikes theinner end of the fixed bushing 56. Continued upward lifting of thereproducer forces the knob 65 through the spring fingers 66 and thereproducer is now free to be swung over into record-playing position.

It must be understood that in the automatic shifting of the plug 57 bymoving the reproducer into and out of record-playing position, theengagement of knob 63 with spring member 65, as well as the separationof these parts, takes place almost instantaneously and without anythought or separate act on the part of the operator. The size and shapeof knob 63 and spring member 65 are so designed that the knob encounterssutiicient resistance to operate the plug 57 either way, and yet thespring fingers 66 are sufliciently yieldable to allow passage of theknob with the application of but little extra force. In fact, themomentum of the reproducer as it descends will automatically carry theknob 63 past the spring fingers 66 into the final position shown in Fig.12. This, of course, does not occur until after the fingers 66 have heldup the knob sufficiently to push the plug 57 in. It is only when movingthe reproducer from rest position into record-playing position that theoperator need exert any additional force at all in moving the knob 63out of the spring device 65.

Since the radio-phonograph reproducer of my invention is necessarilyheavier than an ordinary sound box (except, perhaps a certain type ofheavy sound box that uses two diaphragms), I provide means to counteractthe weight of the reproducer on the record, if it is found that itsnormal weight is too great for the proper playing of a record. Referringto Figs. 8 and 9, the lateral hub 69 on tone arm A is formed with anannular flange 70 on which is screwed a cap 71 provided with an inturnedannular shoulder 72. The goose neck 6, which extends through the openingformed by shoulder 72, is provided with a fixed collar 73 having aseries of holes 73. The goose-neck is held pivoted on the tone arm bythe collar 73 being retained between the shoulder 72 and the outer end69 of hub 69, as shown in Fig. 8. In the annular chamber 74 is mounted acoil spring 75. One end of this spring is attached at 76 to the flange70 of hub 69, and the other end 77 of the spring is inserted in one ofthe holes 7 3 in collar 73. The spring is so arranged that when thereproducer is swung into record-playing position, the spring coils arewound up. The tension thus produced in the spring tends to lift thereproducer ofl' the record and thereby counterbalances its normal weightin a predetermined degree. The effective tension of spring can beregulated by inserting it into the desired hole 73 when the goose-neckis pushed into the hub 69. Other means may be provided for adjusting thecounter-effect of the spring on the weight of the reproducer. When thereproducer is swung back on the tone arm into rest position, the springtends to unwind and thus assists or facilitates the movement.

The construction of Fig, 14 differs from that of Figs. 5 and 10 in onedetail only, and that is the means for making and breaking theconnection between armature and diaphragm. On the pin 51 at the free endof armature 37 is pivoted a link 78 provided with a pin 79. The lever 13is formed with a T-shaped slot consisting of an axial-portion and atransverse portion 81. The link 78, like the link 52 of Figs. 5 and 10,is connected to the slidable plug 57 through the rod or stifi wire 64.When the plug .57 is pushed in, the pin 79 snugly engages in the axialslot 70 and thereby connects the armature with the diaphragm. When theplug is pulled out, the pin 79 is in alignment with the transverse slot81, so that the operative connection between armature and diaphragm isbroken. The plug 57 in Fig. 14 may be operated by hand, or it may beautomatically controlled, like the knob 63 in Figs. 5-13. Otherwise,what has previ ously been said about the operation and ad vantages ofthe invention applies to the modification of Fig. 14 without the need ofrepetition.

It will be understood from the fore oing description of severalillustrative em odiments of my invention that I have produced a combinedradio-phonograph reproducer in the form of a self-contained unit adaptedto be mounted on a tone arm like an ordinary sound box. This unit may beused for playing records in the usual way, and it may also be operatedas a telephone loudspeaker for amplifying sound waves through the tonearm and the phonograph horn. The reproducer of my invention isparticularly useful in radio-phonograph cabinetswhere the phonographhorn is utilized to amplify the vibrations of the telephone receiveconnected to the radio set in the cabinet. My double reproducer unitrequires no separate extension for acoustic connection with the horn,and does away with all changing back and forth of sound box andtelephone receiver on the tone arm, as heretofore.

Although I have shown and described certain specific constructions, Iwant it clearly understood that I have done so in order to explain myinvention to those skilled in the art by means of several illustrativeembodiments, and not by way of restriction or limitation of theinvention. Various changes and alterations will doubtless occur to themechanic within the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims. Also,- eertain features of the electromagnetic mechanism may beused in a telephone instrument independently of any connection with aphcnographic diaphragm.

hat I claim as my invention is:

1. A combined phonograph reprodueer and loudspeaking unit including adiaphragm, a needle arm permanently connected to said diaphragm foroperating the same, electric means for actuating said needle arm, saidmeans having a vibratory member, and a controllable mechanicalconnection between said member and said needle arm.

2. A sound reproducer adapted to be mounted as a unit on a tone arm,comprising a diaphragm, a pivoted needle arm connected to said diaphragmfor operating the same, electromagnetic mechanism including a vibratoryarmature pivotally supported independently of said diaphragm and needlearm, and means for mechanically connecting said armature to said needlearm at a point between the pivot of said arm and its connection with thediaphragm, so that the vibrations of said armature at the point where itconnects with the needle arm are transmitted to the diaphragm inamplified ratio.

3. A sound reproducer adapted to be mounted as a unit on a tone arm,comprising a diaphragm, a pivoted needle arm con-' nected to saiddiaphragm for operating the same, electromagnetic mechanism permanentlyassociated with said diaphragm and including a vibratory membersupported independently of said diaphragm, means for mechanicallyconnecting said member to said needle arm, and manually operable meansfor rendering said connecting means inoperative to permit vibration ofsaid diaphragm through a needle insaid arm without operating saidmember.

4. In a sound reproducer adapted to be mounted as a unit on a tone arm,the combination of a diaphragm, a pivoted lever connected to saiddiaphragm and adapted to be operated by a phonograph needle, saidconnection including a holder for the needle. electromagnetic mechanismpermanently associated with said diaphragm and including a vibratorymember supported independently of said diaphragm and mechanicallyconnected to said lever for operating the diaphragm independently ofsaid needle, and means for controlling the mechanical connection betweensaid member and said lever.

5. A phonograph reproducer consisting of a unitary structure having acasing, a diaphragm in said casing, a needle arm connected to saiddiaphragm electromagnetic mechanism mounted in sai casing and having avibratory member mechanically connected to said needle arm, and meansfor controlling said mechanical connection.

6. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with a phonograph sound boxmounted to be swung into and out of playing position, said sound boxhaving a diaphragm and needle arm, a telephone receiver also mounted onsaid tone arm and having a vibratory member adapted to be mechanicallyconnected with said diaphragm for operating the same, and means forautomatically breaking and making said mechanical connection when saidsound box is swung into and out of playig position.

7. A sound reproducer unit contained in a substantially cylindricalcasing adapted to be attached to a phonograph tone arm, said unitcomprising a diaphragm, a needle arm connected to said diaphragm, amagnet mounted in said casing and having a hollow coil so arranged thatits axis extends diametrically across said casing, a vibratory armatureextending through said coil and supported independently of said needlearm. and means for connecting said armature to said needle arm.

8. In a sound reproducer, a unitary supporting frame, a diaphragm insaid frame. a mechanically actuated member for opera ing said diaphragm,an electrically actuated member for operating said diaphragm, saidmembers being carried by said frame independently of each other, andmeans for Inn rendering one of said members inoperative when the othermember operates the diaphragm. V

9. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with a lateral extension, acurved tube swivelled laterally on said extension and carrying areproducer, and a spring coiled about said lateral extension tocounteract partially the weight of the reproducer when playing a record,said swivel mounting of the tube being independent of said spring.

10. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with a pivotally. mountedcasing containing a combined phonograph reproducer and telephonereceiver in which the same diaphragm 1s utilized for both operations,and means for automatically disconnecting the telephone receiver fromthe diaphragm when the casing is moved into record-playing position,said means automatically connecting the telephone receiver with thediaphragm when the casing 1s swung back on the tone arm into restposition.

11. A sound reproducer comprising a casing having a sound outlet, adiaphragm in said casing, a pivoted lever connected to said diaphragmfor operating the same, electromagnetic mechanism in said casing, saidmechanism including a vibratory armature, an operative connectionbetween said lever and armature, means operable from outside the casingfor rendering said connection inoperative, and means for operating saidlever when the same is disconnected from said armature.

12. In a phonograph, a tone ar'm provided with a sound reproduceradapted to be swung into and out of record-playing position, saidreproducer comprlsing a diaphragm, a pivoted lever connected to saiddiaphragm for operating the same, electro magnetic mechanism in saidcasing, said mechanism including avibratory armature, an operativeconnection between said lever and said armature, means for renderingsaid connection inoperative, said means including an adjustable memberprojecting outside the casing, and a devim, on said tone arm forautomatically engaging saidmember when the reproducer is swung back outof recordplaying position and also when it is swung forward to play arecord, said device actuating said member in one direction to break theconnection between the armature and diaphragm when the reproducer ismoved forward into playing position, said device also actuating saidmember in the reverse direction to render said connection operative whenthe reproducer is swung back on the tone arm.

13. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with a sound reproducer adaptedto be swung into and out of record-playing posi v tion, said reproducercomprising a diaphragm, a pivoted lever connected to said diaphragm foroperating the same, electromagnetic mechanism in said casing, saidmechanism including a vibratory armature, an operative connectionbetween said lever and said armature, means for rendering saidconnection inoperative, said means including an adjustable memberprojecting out side the casing, and a yieldable catch device carried' bysaid tone arm for r'eleasably engaging said member when the reproduceris swung back out of record-playing position and also when it is swungforward to play a record, said catch device automatically pulling saidmember out to disconnect the armature from the diaphragm when thereproducer is moved forward into playing position and automaticallypushing said member in to connect the armature with the diaphragm whenthe reproducer is swung back on the tone arm.

14. In a sound reproducer, a unitary structure comprising thecombinationot' a diaphragm, connections solely mechanical for operatingsaid diaphragm, electromagnetic mechanism permanently associated withsaid diaphragm for operating the same independently of said mechanicalconnections, said mechanism including a vibratory member adapted to bemechanically connected. with said diaphragm, and means for relieving thevibratory diaphragm of the mechanical load of said member when thediaphragm is operating through said mech anical connections.

15. A sound reproducer comprising a casing, a diaphragm in said casing,means for mechanically actuating said diaphragm, means within saidcasing for electrically actuating said diaphragm, and mechanical meanscontained within said casing and operable from outside the casing forrelieving the vibratory diaphragm of the load of said electric meanswhen the diaphragm is actuated mechanically.

16. A combined phonograph-telephone reproducer adapted to be mounted ona. tone arm, comprising a cylindrical casing having a sound outlet, adiaphragm supported in said casing in a plane perpendicular to the axisof the casing, a circular magnet mounted in said caslng in a planesubstantially parallelwith said diaphragm, said magnet terminating inpolar limbs extending inwardly in substantially parallel relation, polepieces secured to said limbs and separated by an airgap, a hollow coilmounted between said polar limbs and engaging said pole pieces, wherebysaid coil is held firmly in position on said magnet so that the axis ofthe. coil is practically parallel with said limbs, said magnetic air gapbeing in alignment wlth the ax al opening in said 0011, an armaturepivoted at one end and extending through said coil into said airgap atthe other end, whereby variable currents in said coil produce vibrationof the armature in said airgap, a pivoted lever connected to saiddiaphragm and adapted to be operated by a phonograph needle, and meansfor operatively connectingthe free end of said armature with said leverat a point intermediate the ends thereof, whereby the vibrations of saidarmature are transmitted in amplified ratio to said diaphragm.

17. In a sound reproducer, a diaphragm, means for actuating saiddiaphragm mechanically, mechanism for operating said diaphragmelectrically, means for controlling the connection between saidmechanism and said diaphragm, a switch in the circuit of said electricmechanism, and means for automatically opening said switch when saidmechanism is disconnected from the diaphragm, said switch beingautomatically closed when said mechanism is connected with thediaphragm.

18. A sound reproducer comprising a diaphragm, means for mechanicallyactuating said diaph 'agin, means for electrically actuating saiddiaphragm, a readily separable and restorable connection between saiddiaphragm and one of said means, a manually operable member forcontrolling said connection, and a switch for said electric meansautomatically controlled by said member.

19.A combined phonograph reproducer and radio loudspeaker comprising acasing, a diaphragm mounted in said casing, a needle arm for actuatingsaid diaphragm, electromagnetie mechanism permanently mounted in saidcasing, said mechanism including a vibratory member supportedindependently of said diaphragm, a pivoted element mounted independentlyof said diaphragm for connecting said member to said needle arm so thatthe vibrations of said member are transmitted to the diaphragm by theneedle arm in amplified ratio, and means operable from outside thecasing for actuating said element to disconnect said member and needlearm.

20. A phonograph reproducer comprising a casing pivotally mounted on atone arm and adapted to be thrown into and out of playing position, saidreproducer having a diaphragm and a needle arm, a telephone receiveicarried by said casing for operating said diaphragm, and a switch forsaid receiver automatically controlled by the movements of the easinginto and out of playing position.

21. In a phonograph, a support mounted to turn horizontally and having ahorizontal bearing portion arranged transversely thereof, a membersupported in said bearing portion for vertical movement, said memberbeing thus mount d to swing horizontally over a disk record, areproducer carried by said member, and a spring coiled about saidbearing portion for partially counting the combined weight of saidmember and reproducer when playing a record, said member being mountedon said support independently of said spring.

22. A combined sound box and loudspeaking unit including a diaphragm,separate mechanical and electrical means for actuating said diaphragm,said electrical means including a vibratory armature, and a controllablemechanical connection between said armature and said mechanical means.

23. In a phonograph, a tone arm carrying a reproducer arranged to beswung into and out of playing position, said reproducer containing adiaphragm adapted to be operated through a phonograph needle,electromagnetic mechanism in said reproducer for operating saiddiaphragm, and cooperating means on said tone arm and said reproducerfor automatically disconnecting said mechanism from said diaphragm whenthe reproducer is swung into record-playing position, said cooperatingmeans automatically restoring the connection between said mechanism andsaid diaphragm when the reproducer is swung back out of playingposition.

24. In a sound reproducer, the combination of a diaphragm, means foroperating said diaphragm through a phonograph needle, electromagneticmechanism for operating said diaphragm independently of said needle,said mechanism including a telephone coil, means for disconnecting saidmechanism from said diaphragm when the reproducer is operated from arecord, said means being operable to restore said connection, and aswitch controlled by said means for breaking the circuit through saidcoil when said mechanism is disconnected from said diaphragm, saidswitch being automatically closed when said means is operated to restorethe connec- 'tion between said mechanism and said diaphragm.

25. In a phonograph, a tone arm carrying a reproducer arranged to beswung into and out of playing position, said reproducer containing adiaphragm adapted to be operated through a phonograph needle,electromagnetic mechanism in said reproducer for opcrating saiddiaphragm, said mechanism ineluding a telephone coil, cooperating meanson said tone arm and said reproducer for automatically disconnectingsaid mechanism from said diaphragm when the reproducer is swung intorecord-playing position, said co-operating means automatically restoringthe connection between said mechanism and said diaphragm when thereproducer is swung back out of playing position, and a switchcontrolled by said cooperating means for automatically breaking thecircuit through said coil when the reproducer is swung forward intoplaying position, said cooperating means automatically closing saidswitch when the reproducer is swung back out of playing position, i

26. In a phonograph, a tonel a rm provided with a pivoted extension, anda sound reproducer unit carried by said extension, said unit comprisinga casing containing phonographic and telephonic reproducing mechanism, aswitch in said casing for said telephonic mechanism, and means operablefrom outside the casing for controlling said switch,

27. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with a reproducer in which atelephone receiver is permanently incorporated for actuating thediaphragm electromagnetically, said telephone receiver permittingoperation of the diaphragm through a phonograph needle, and spring meanson said tone arm for partially counteracting the weight of saidreproducer when playing a record.

28. In a phonograph, a tone arm having a goose neck laterally pivotedthereon so as to swing vertically into and out of playin position, areproducer carried by sai goose neck, and a coil spring at the lateraljunction of said goose neck and tone arm for partially counteracting theweight of the reproducer when playing a record, said spring being soarranged as to permit the goose-neck to be thrown back on the tone arminto rest position.

29. In a phonograph, a tone arm provided with a pivoted extension, asound reproducer carried by said extension, said reproducer containingphonographic and telephonic reproducing mechanism, a coil spring at thejunction of said extension and said tone arm for partially counteractingthe weight of said reproducer when playing arecord, and means forvarying the tension of said spring to regulate its counteracting efiect.

30. A sound reproducer comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in saidcasing,

a mechanically actuated member carried by said casing for operating saiddiaphragm, an electrically actuated member also carried by said casingfor operating said diaphragm, and means for rendering said electricallyactuated member inactive when said mechanically actuated member operatesthe diaphragm.

31. A combined phonograph reproducer and loudspeaking unit including adiaphragm, separate means for mechanically and electrically actuatingthe diaphragm, said electrical means including a vibratory membermounted independently of the diaphragm, and means for moving said memberout of the vibratory path of said mechanical means.

32. Acombined sound box and loud speaking unit including a diaphragm,separate means for mechanically and electrically actuating thediaphragm, and a controllable switch in said unit for controlling thecircuit of said electric actuating means.

33.A combined phonograph reproducer and telephone receiver mounted asa.unit on a tone arm and including a switch for controlling the receiverin accordance with the operative condition of said unit.

34. A combined phonograph reproducer and telephone receiver mounted in acasing as a unit, a tone arm on which saidcasing is adjustably mounted,and a receiver circuit automatically controlled by the position of saidcasing on the tone arm.

35. In a sound reproducer, a diaphragm, means for mechancially actuatingsaid diaphragm, means for electrically actuating said diaphragm, saidelectrical means including a circuit, means for controlling theconnection between said diaphragm and said electrical means, a switchfor said circuit, and means whereby said switch is automatically closedand opened when said connection is made and broken.

ADOLPH A. THOMAS.

